11.2 Acceptable touch
Sympathetic attention, humour, encouragement and appropriate physical contact are needed by children and adults. Some physical contact with children, particularly younger children, is wholly appropriate.
The following guidelines regarding touching are suggested:
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Always ask permission.
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Be mindful of your body position.
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Keep everything public. A hug in the context of a group is very different from a hug behind closed doors.
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Touch should be in response to a child’s needs and not related to the worker’s needs. It should be age-appropriate, welcome and generally initiated by the child, not the church officer.
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Avoid any physical contact that is or could be construed as sexual and/or abusive/offensive.
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Allow the child to determine the degree of physical contact with others except in exceptional circumstances (e.g. when they need medical attention).
In addition:
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You can allow the people you support in your role to give you brief hugs if you feel comfortable with this.
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You can allow the people you support in your role to hold hands or link arms with you to help with travel and stability.
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You should discourage the people you support in your role from touching your face. You can offer your hand instead.
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You should discourage the people you support in your role from sitting on your lap. You can offer to sit side by side.
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You should avoid using touch if the person you support in your role is very distressed and is unlikely to tolerate it.
Church officers at all levels must take responsibility for monitoring one another in the area of physical contact. They should be encouraged to challenge one another if necessary. Concerns about possible abuse or inappropriate behaviour should always be reported.